Revoluble-shelf cabinet.



No. 643,049. Patented Feb. 6, I900 C. A. FEESER. 1

REVULUBLE SHELF CABINET (Application filed. June 1, 1899.) (No Modal.) 3 Shaets$heet l.

No. 643,049. Patented Feb. 6, I900. C. A. FEESER.

REVOLUBLE SHELF CABINET.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(Application'filed June 1, 1899.)

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(No Model.)

No. 643,049. Patpnted Feb. 6, I900.

C. A. FEESER.

REVOLUBLE SHELF CABINET.

(Application filed June 1, 1899.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

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i v f%@fgf UNITED STATES PATENT CFFICE.

CHARLES A. FEESER, OF PAW PAW, W'ESTVIRGINIA.

REVOLUBLE-SHELF CABINET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 643,049, dated February 6, 1900. I

Application filed June 1, 1899. Serial No. 719,031. (No model.)

To (6 1072 0772 it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES A. FEESER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Paw Paw, in the county of Morgan and State of West Virginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Revoluble-Shelf Cabinets, of which the following is a specification.

This invention. relates to revoluble-shelf cabinets, and especially to that class of cabinets wherein the shelves are suspended at their opposite ends upon endless chains that pass about sprocket-wheels rotated by suitable means to successively bring the shelves in convenient reach.

The present invention has for its object to provide an improved cabinet of the character referred to wherein any given shelf may be readily brought to a convenient height without necessitating stooping or climbing upon anything to reach the shelf, whereby the wallspace is utilized to the fullest extent and the cabinet is given a maximum capacity with a minimum expenditure of floor-space.

It also has for its object to provide improved means for guiding the shelves in their movements in such manner as to cause them to move smoothly and uniformly and in perfect alinement without liability of sticking; and, finally, it has for its object to improve and simplify the construction and render more efficient the operation of this class of devices generally.

To these ends my invention consists in the features and in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims following the description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a partof this specification, wherein- Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of my improved cabinet. Fig. 2 is a similar view, the front of the cabinet being removed. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical central sectional view. Fig. 4 is a similar view taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5 5, Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a view in elevation, partly in section, of one end of the cabinet; and Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional View taken on the line 7 7 of Fig. 6.

In the present instance I have shown my inventionembodied in a bookcase; but it will be evident that it may be in the formof a show-case, display-cabinet, or similar case employed for the storage or display of articles of various kinds.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates an upright case-of any approved construction provided near its opposite ends' with vertical partitions 2 and 3,for1ning spaces adapted to contain the mechanism foractuating the shelves. 'Disposed between the partitions 2 and 3 are the shelves 4, each being slightly shorter than the distance between the shelves and provided at its opposite ends with uprights 5 of any preferred form, but preferably having a narrow or retreating top in order that it may not interfere with the adjacent shelf as the shelves pass about the sprocket-wheels to be presently described. To the ends of the shelves 4 are attached hangers 6, which at their upper ends are journaled on pins 7, carried by endless chains 8. The endless chains are disposed in the spaces between the ends of the case and the partitions, and the pins 7 project through endless or continuous slots 9,formedin said partitions. Pendent from the top of the case -are two brackets 10, in each of which isfirmly fixed a shaft 11, and on said shafts are journaled, respectively, sprocket-wheels 12 and 13. Gorresponding sprocket-wheels 14 and 15 are fixed on a shaft 16, j ournaled in suitable'loearings 17, fixed to the lower portions of the ends of the case. The sprocket-wheels are all the same size and should in practice he of a slightly-greaterdiameter than the width of the shelves. The endless chains 8 are dis* posed about the sprocket-wheels, and the pins 7, carried thereby, project through the slots 9 in the partitions and engage the hangers 6 on the shelves in the manner before stated. As most clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the slots 9 are endless or continuous,

their curved or semicircular end portions 9 and 9 approximately registering with the perimeters of the sprocket-wheels.

Fixed to one end of the casing is a rigid shaft 18, on which is journaled a sprocketwheel 19,which is geared to a relatively small sprocket-wheel 20, fixed on the end of the shaft 16 by a sprocket-chain 21. J ournaled on the shaft 18 and fixed to or formed with the sprocket-wheel 19 is a worm gear-wheel 22, which gears with a worm 23, fixed on a shaft 24, journaled in suitable bearings 25, attached to the front and'back of the casing. The shaft 24 at its forward end projects through the front of the case and has fixed thereon a hand-wheel 26, provided with a knob or handle 27, by means of which it may be turned. It will be obvious that by turning the hand-wheel the shaft 16, through the medium of the worm-gearand sprocket wheels and chain, will be rotated and will move the endless chains 8 about their sprocket-wheels. The shelves being suspended from said chains in the manner described will be carried around with the chains, being guided in their movements by the pins 7, traveling in the slots in the partitions 2 and It is manifest that in lieu of the hand-wheel 26 an ordinary crank may be employed and which may be removed when not in actual use.

Projecting centrally from the opposite ends of the shelves are pins 28 and 29, which pro- 1 ject into the slots 9 and are provided with antifriction-rollers 30. The pins 28 at one side of the shelves extend beyond the ends of the antifriction-rollers and project through and beyond the slots 9 in the adjacent partition 2 for the purpose hereinafter set forth. The antifriction-rollers are slightly smaller than the slots 9, so that when the articles on the shelves are so disposed that the shelves will nothang perfectly perpendicular or plumb the rollers will have a rolling contact with one side or the other of the slots. The rollers travel in the vertical portions of the slots 9 in the same manner as the pins 7; but inasmuch as the pins 7 are of less diameter than the rollers the semicircular bends or ends 9 and 9 of the slots 9, in which the pins only travel, are made narrower than the vertical portions of the slots, in which both the pins and rollers travel. Itis necessary to provide additional guideways for the antifriction-rollers at the top and bottom of the casing, and this is provided for by continuing or extending the lower portions of the Vertical slots 9 downward a suitable distance and connecting them by semicircular slots 9. The radii of the semicircular slots 9 are equal to the radii of the semicircular slots 9, and the said slots 9 and 9 are symmetrically arranged relatively to one another. In like manner the slots 9 are connected at suitable points near their upper ends by semicircular slots 9. It will be readily understood that as the shelves are raised or lowered the pins 7, on which the hangers 6 are journaled, will travel in the slots 9, 9, and 9 and the shelves will be at all times held in a substantially level position by the antifriction-rollers following and traveling in the slots 9, 9, and 9 Ordinarily when the shelves hang perpendicularly or plumb the rollers will travel freely and easilyin the slots; but undersome circumstances-as, for example, when the weight of the articles is unevenly disposed upon the shelves-the rollers are apt to stick in the grooves or become hung on a center at the bends, and in order to avoid such a result I provide the following means: Fixed to the end of the case opposite the partition 2 are bracket-arms 31 and 32, respectively arranged near the top and bottom portions of the case, and on the ends of said bracket-arms are respectively journaled bevel gear-wheels 33 and 34, each formed with an inwardly-projecting hub 35, on which are fixed spur-wheels 36. For the sake of lightness the wheels 36 are preferably stamped out of sheet metal, and they are of the same diameter as the sprocketwheels about which the chains 8 pass. A bevel gear-wheel 37, of the same size as the wheels 33 and 34, is fixed to or formed with the sprocket-wheel 14. Journaled in the bracket-arms 31 and 32 is a vertical shaft 38, on which are fixed bevel-pinions 39, 40, and 41, which respectively gear with the bevel gear-wheels 33, 34, and 37. As before described, the pins 28 project through the slots beyond the partition 2 and are engaged by the toothed peripheries of the spur-wheels 36. As the mechanism is actuated to revolve the shelves the bevel gear-wheel 37 will rotate the shaft 38, and the latter will rotate the spur-wheels 36 through the medium of the described bevelgearing at the same rate of speed at which the sprocket-wheels 12, 13, 14, and 15 are rotated, and hence the shelves will be positively carried around the semicircular slots 9 and 9, at which points the rollers are liable to stick synchronously with the movement of the pins 7 through the slots 9 and 9 It will be evident that by forming the described slots in the partitions portions of the latter will be detached and left without support, and in order to remedy this I provide blocks 42, which are arranged between and secured to the detached portions of the partitions and the ends of the case.

If desired, a partition, curtain, or similar screen may be provided to conceal the rear shelves, as indicated at 43 by dotted lines.

From the foregoing description it will be readily apparent that any one of the shelves may be readily brought into convenient reach or any desired position and also that the friction of the worm-gearing employed for actuating the mechanism will securely hold the shelves in any position to which they may be moved.

I have illustrated. the invention as applied to a bookcase; but it will be obvious that it may be applied to cases and cabinets of every description and that by its use twice as many shelves may be employed as it is possible to use in the ordinary stationary-shelf cases and also that the wall-space may be fully utilized with a minimum expenditure of floor-space.

Having described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a revoluble-shelf cabinet provided with vertical partitions arranged at its opposite sides and provided with endless slots, the combination with a pair of endless chains and sprocket-wheels arranged in the upper and lower portions of the cabinet about which said chains pass, of a plurality of shelves each provided at its opposite ends with rigid upright hangers arranged adjacent to the inner sides of the vertical partitions and pivotally connected at their upper ends to said chains, and projections on the opposite ends of the shelves arranged to travel in said guideways, substantially as described.

2. In a revoluble-shelf cabinet, the combi nation with a pair of endless chains, sprocketwheels arranged in the upper and lower portions of the cabinet about which said chains pass, and laterally-projecting pins carried by the chains, of a plurality of shelves each provided at its opposite ends with upright hangers journaled at their upper ends on said pins, endless guideways in which said pins travel, projections on the opposite ends of the shelves, endless guideways in which said projections travel, and means actuated by the sprocket mechanism for positively moving the said projections around the curved ends of the guideways, substantially as described.

3. In a revoluble-shelf cabinet, the combination with a pair of endless chains, sprocketwheels arranged in the upper and lower portions of the cabinet about which said chains pass, and laterally-projecting pins carried by the chains, of a plurality of shelves each provided at its opposite ends with upright hangers journaled at their upper ends on said pins, projections extending centrally from the opposite ends of the shelves, and endless guideways arranged adjacent to the ends of the shelves and having curved ends, the said pins and projections extending into and traveling in the said gu-ideways, substantially as described.

4. In a revoluble-shelf cabinet, the combination with a pair of endless chains,-sprocketwheels arranged in the upper and lower portions of the cabinet about which said chains pass, and laterally-projecting pins carried by the chains, of a plurality of shelves each provided at its opposite ends with upright hangers journaled at their upper ends on said pins, projections extending centrally from the opposite ends of the shelves, endless guideways arranged adjacent to the ends of the shelves and having curvedends, the said pins and projections extending into and traveling in the said guideways, and mechanism for rotating the sprocket-wheels to drive the chains, substantially as described.

5. In a revoluble-shelf cabinet, the combination with a pair of endless chains and sprocket-wheels arranged in the upper and lower portions of the cabinet about which said chains pass, of laterally-projecting pins carried by the chains, projections extending centrally from the opposite ends of the shelves, and vertical partitions fixed in the cabinet adjacent to the opposite ends of the shelves and each provided with two vertical slots in which the said pins and projections are arranged to ascend and descend, two curved slots uniting the vertical slots and inwhich the said pins are adapted to travel, and two corresponding curved slots also uniting the vertical slots and in which the projections are adapted to travel, substantially as described.

6. In a revoluble-shelf cabinet, the combination with a pair of endless chains and sprocket-wheels arranged in the upper and lower portions of the cabinet about which said chains pass, of laterally-projecting pins carried by the chains, projections extending cen-. trally from the opposite ends of the shelves,

vertical partitions fixed in the cabinet adjacent to the opposite ends of the shelves and each provided with two vertical slots in which the said pins are arranged to ascend and descend, two curved slots uniting the vertical slots and in which the said pins are arranged to travel, and two corresponding curved slots also uniting the vertical slots and in which the projections are arranged to travel, and means actuated by the said sprocket mechanism for positively moving the said projections around their curved slots, substantially as described.

7. In a revoluble-shelf cabinet, the combi tion with a pair of endless chains carrying laterally-projecting pins and sprocket-wheels arranged in the upper and lower portions. of the cabinet about which said chains pass, of a plurality of shelves each provided at its opposite ends with upright hangers journaled at their upper ends on said pins, vertical partitions fixed in the cabinet adjacent the opposite ends of the shelves and each provided with an endless slot, projections extending centrally from the ends of the shelves into said slots, the projections on one end of the shelves extending through one of said slots beyond the partition, and spur-wheels arranged to engage said extended projections and geared to rotate in unison with the sprocket-wheels on which the endless chains are mounted, substantially as described.

8. Ina revoluble-shelf cabinet, the combination with a pair of endless chains and sprocket-wheels arranged in the upper and lower portions of the cabinet about which said chains pass, of a plurality of shelves each provided at its opposite ends with upright hangers pivotally connected at their upper ends to said chains, endless guideways arranged adjacent to the ends of the shelves, projections extending centrally from the ends of the shelves into said slots, the projections on one end of the shelves extending through one of said slots beyond the partition, spurwheels arranged to engage said extended pro- IIO jections, bevel-gears fixed to said spur-Wheels my hand in presence of two subscribing witand to one 01": the drive sprocket-wheels, a nesses. vertical shaft and bevel-pinions fixed on said 1 -1 shaft and gearing with the said bevel-gears, QHARLES FEEDER 5 substantially as described and for the pur- Witnesses:

pose specified. J. N. ROBINSON,

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set MILTON W. WONN. 

